'We celebrated too soon': Border towns torn between hope and fear amid pause in military action

Border districts of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat began a tentative return to normalcy Sunday following a pause in military action between India and Pakistan late Saturday.Blackouts, widespread across several districts Saturday night, were scaled back or lifted Sunday as residents cautiously resumed daily life. Though drone sightings and sporadic reports of explosions persisted in some pockets, streets, markets and places of worship buzzed with restrained optimism.Also read: Shell-shocked Jammu stirs back to life as guns, bombs, drones fall silentPunjab, with a 553km border with Pakistan, endured heavy drone and missile attacks Thursday and Friday. Cities close to the border, such as Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Bathinda, which reported drone sightings, lifted blackouts Sunday but continued urging residents to shut off outdoor lights voluntarily. Hoshiarpur ordered a blackout from 9.30pm.In Amritsar and Pathankot, unconfirmed reports of flying objects and sounds of explosions persisted into early Sunday.‘One moment we’re praying, next we’re hiding in dark’UAVs were also spotted in non-border districts such as Patiala, Bathinda, Faridkot and Jalandhar, where residents were advised against bursting firecrackers, flying drones, or spreading unverified messages. Border districts of Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Fazilka saw a mixed picture Sunday. Temple bells rang and streets buzzed with life after days of fear and drone attacks. While malls and restaurants stayed active during daylight hours, voluntary blackouts were observed after 8pm.Amritsar resident Gurkirat Singh said: “We celebrated too soon. One moment we’re praying, the next we’re hiding in the dark.” Unconfirmed reports of drones and explosions Saturday night stirred fear in Amritsar and Pathankot. “Seeing projectiles streak across the sky was terrifying,” said Poornima Malhotra, a teacher from Pathankot. Shopkeeper Pawan Kumar from Gurdaspur remained uneasy. “What if the May 12 talks between India and Pakistan fail? Could war resume?” he asked.According to BSF officers, resumption of ceremonial parades at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadiqi check posts remains undecided, as does pilgrim corridor to Kartarpur. Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains said all educational institutions statewide would reopen Monday, though DCs in border areas retained discretion. Schools in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Barnala, Fazilka and Sangrur will remain shut Monday “by way of abundant caution”, a govt official said.In Haryana’s Ambala district, which was under blackout Friday and Saturday, restrictions were lifted Sunday. District magistrate Ajay Singh Tomer advised citizens to avoid using outdoor lights powered by generators or inverters but allowed normal power use inside homes.In Rajasthan, districts along the border saw a cautious reopening. Markets resumed in Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Phalodi after four tense days. Night blackouts remained in place in most districts due to fresh drone sightings and fears of renewed hostilities. Jaisalmer collector Pratap Singh authorised daily activities to resume, while Bikaner and Sriganganagar enforced blackout hours until May 12.Phalodi and Jodhpur, which saw consecutive blackout nights, reported no alerts Sunday and showed early signs of recovery. “The past four days were filled with uncertainty but Sunday remained normal,” said Phalodi collector Harji Lal Atal. Barmer collector Tina Dabi confirmed drone activity Saturday night but said no damage had occurred.Gujarat’s Kutch district, too, showed signs of easing. Commercial establishments in Bhuj, Lakhpat, Naliya, Adipur and Khavda remained open Sunday with no new drone sightings. A large crowd gathered at Bhuj’s main square to hail armed forces for defending border towns. Though blackout directives were lifted Saturday evening, brief drone activity prompted renewed surveillance by local authorities.“Streetlights will be on, until instructed otherwise by district administration,” said an official in Gandhidham, where no formal blackout was issued but readiness remained high. (Inputs from Chandigarh, Amritsar, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Gandhinagar)